Channel inserts.

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Jamesie

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Hi everybody! Just wandering what is the function of channel inserts, such as the ones on a Mackie 1604 vlz pro?? do they have the same function as direct outs??

Thanks in advance :)

Jamesie
 
They can be used as a direct out but their function by design is an in/out (the out is right after the the mic preamp/trim pot and the in is just before the EQ/Fader section of the channel strip circuit. You'd use it to "insert" a device like an outboard EQ or a compressor. Using just the output part of the insert allows it to function as a direct output and a very clean one at that since it is unequilized and not affected by fader movements.
 
Track Rat said:
They can be used as a direct out but their function by design is an in/out (the out is right after the the mic preamp/trim pot and the in is just before the EQ/Fader section of the channel strip circuit. You'd use it to "insert" a device like an outboard EQ or a compressor. Using just the output part of the insert allows it to function as a direct output and a very clean one at that since it is unequilized and not affected by fader movements.
Click to expand...

yes exactly.... on my yamaha mixing board the chain goes input to preamp to insert/return which allows me to run my bass into a compressor with just the preamp effecting the signal, and then i can compress without the eq/fader or aux busses messing with things...
 
my church as one of these boards and I will be recording there this weekend. To use the inserts as direct outs, do I push the jack in all the way or just partially?
 
my church as one of these boards and I will be recording there this weekend. To use the inserts as direct outs, do I push the jack in all the way or just partially?
 
There are two ways to approach this. First and simplest is to use a normal unbalanced (tip and sleeve) cable and insert it only to the first click. This will tap off some signal without breaking the internal circuit. Another way is to still use a normal unbalanced cable but replace one end with a stereo type 1/4" connector (tip, ring and sleeve) with the pin and ring soldered together and the center conductor of the cable soldered to that. That way you can fully seat the connector, still tap off signal and not break the internal connection.
 
is an unbalanced cable just a regular cable that I would be using for my guitar?
 
Track Rat said:
They can be used as a direct out but their function by design is an in/out (the out is right after the the mic preamp/trim pot and the in is just before the EQ/Fader section of the channel strip circuit. You'd use it to "insert" a device like an outboard EQ or a compressor. Using just the output part of the insert allows it to function as a direct output and a very clean one at that since it is unequilized and not affected by fader movements.
Click to expand...

To Track rat - So does this mean that the fader on the channel on the mixing board doesn't affect the volume of the signal going to the computer?? (assuming direct outs/inserts are going into a soundcard)

genob said:
yes exactly.... on my yamaha mixing board the chain goes input to preamp to insert/return which allows me to run my bass into a compressor with just the preamp effecting the signal, and then i can compress without the eq/fader or aux busses messing with things...
Click to expand...

To Genob - could you please tell me, what the purpose of your mixer is, in this situation - is it purely for insert(?send?)/return function??

Thanks for your help guys! ;)

Jamesie
 
Jamesie said:
To Track rat - So does this mean that the fader on the channel on the mixing board doesn't affect the volume of the signal going to the computer?? (assuming direct outs/inserts are going into a soundcard)
Click to expand...
That is correct sir. The trim pot at the top of the channel strip is the only knob that affects what is being recorded. Being that it's unequilized, it also makes you more aware of mic placement for tone and not relying on EQ to get something you like which is a VERY good thing in my opinion.
 
Track Rat said:
There are two ways to approach this. First and simplest is to use a normal unbalanced (tip and sleeve) cable and insert it only to the first click. This will tap off some signal without breaking the internal circuit. Another way is to still use a normal unbalanced cable but replace one end with a stereo type 1/4" connector (tip, ring and sleeve) with the pin and ring soldered together and the center conductor of the cable soldered to that. That way you can fully seat the connector, still tap off signal and not break the internal connection.
Click to expand...

So balanced cables (both ends) won't work to use the channel inserts as direct outs? If this is the case, I must buy more cables. Or is there a way I can still utilize my balanced cables?

Btw, I will have a Soundcraft E8 and a Layla3g waiting for me at the door when I get home.
 
Track Rat said:
There are two ways to approach this. First and simplest is to use a normal unbalanced (tip and sleeve) cable and insert it only to the first click. This will tap off some signal without breaking the internal circuit. Another way is to still use a normal unbalanced cable but replace one end with a stereo type 1/4" connector (tip, ring and sleeve) with the pin and ring soldered together and the center conductor of the cable soldered to that. That way you can fully seat the connector, still tap off signal and not break the internal connection.
Click to expand...

I'm confused...
I plug my cables (standard guitar cable) all the way in to the inserts,
And all the way into the soundcard input,and never have adverse reactions.
Is there something I am missing???

Oh wait...
We're talking about if you still want the signal to pass through the channel
As well as the insert aren't we... Nevermind me.
 
To Genob - could you please tell me, what the purpose of your mixer is, in this situation - is it purely for insert(?send?)/return function??

Thanks for your help guys!

Jamesie
Click to expand...

I use my mixer mainly for recording purposes..... my signal chain is usually a 1/4" mono cable (or XLR) into the input of the mixing board, which then goes directly into a preamp (built into the mixing board). The circuit then goes to a 1/4" TRS connector on the back of the board which uses the (i think i remember this correctly) TIP for send and RING for return. Usually you would buy a special adapter that looks like a Y cable which breaks the TIP and RING into 2 different 1/4" female ends. This allows you to run the (preamped) signal into a "IN" and then "OUT" of some sort of processor (or what ever you want to use). The "OUT" of the processer then goes back into the mixing board which is "PRE-FADER and PRE-AUX1/2".

The term insert means that you are "Inserting" a processor or outside effect or whatever into your signal chain that hasn't been tainted by EQ or AUX or the fader.

I usually use mine insert for compressors, and possibly eq... reverb and things like that are thrown on an aux bus....
 
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